Idaho news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1887-1891, 1887-12-24
- ,.ar.tio- uhn hnd not yet round

@Wsy don't you tum ON, TatieY anu
asan anew. this time with the
dashed hs Katie joining her in very
weak voice.
AZ tbe beautiful little hymn pro,
,.,asseJ Katie recovered courage, ana
san~ ms heartily as Ruth herself. inc
,,assangers in the meantime looked very
,a,ch surprised, for singing IL NOT
aIicysd ON the ferry-bOats; but IL Was
M In human nature 10 hear two sweet
childish voices in an old familiar iiynlh
No law before Christmas without beihg
Interested and even touched. M,
When the carol was finished, ruth,
Nth very husiness-like air, produced
ber ..dreea pie plate" from under her
cloak. Jumped down from her seat, anu
presented the plate to a gentleman near
est her. - -,
forth five cents, which he smilingly put
o" !" 1 How much is dat?" demanded Ruth
4 smile swept around the cabin.
sIShl five cents, replied Katie, flush
ing. h.t.o
do, and would not bulge.
!sDat amt enough" she said to the
gentleman. "We wants fifteen dollars,
and five cents aiG't notiln,,
Fifteen dollars" sai! the gentle
man good.naturedly, What do you
want with so much money!.
"OhI" exclaimed Ruth, perfectly will
inc 10 take ANYBODY into her confidence,
tive wants it for a blind woman what
will have 10 sleep on de told sidewalk
won't she, Tatie?-if We don't pay
don't pay what, TatieI'
.'Her rent, said katie. family.
"Es, her vent; an We wants fifteen
dollars, please, concluded Ruth, with
the calm air OF expecting her questioner
1Oh, il that's the case, said the gem
tleman, laughing, ''and seeing to-mor-
rows Christmas, here's my share OF the
fifteen dollars" And he put fifty cents
into the plate.
ais dat enough?" inquired Ruth of
Katie.
Eyes. dear" answered Katie, ready
TO sink through the floor in her contus-
ion. $50 on, Rnthy. "
But there was no need to ''go on. !"
The whole cabinfnl Of passengers had
been amused and interested listeners
and spectators OF the scene, and only
needed an invitation Of the right kind
to make them 90 10 the ''dreen Pic
plate" Up jumped the fat man upon
whom Ruth had fixed her eyes when
singing.
Here's another fifty cents for little
Miss Santa Claus" he cried, and
dropped the silver coin in the plate.
Then q rush WAS made for the two
little girls, and amid laughing e1clama,
tons OF "For Little Miss Santa ClAusw
quarters and half-dOllArB ratified like
hail on the plate
Katie was 80 much excited, even after
she had reached the ferry house aud
WAS counting the money, that Il was no
wonder she had not noticed u tall man
who had followed her and Ruth OF the
boat, and WAS now watching them.
Fifteen dollars and sixty five cents,
said Katie, after shs had counted the
money for the third time. Amt that
splendid? I'll put the fifteen dollas in
this bag, producing a canvas bag used
by her father when he was collecting
money, ''aud we'll taks IL 10 Mrs. Car.
rpl right away But what shall wo do
with the sixty five cents, Buthy?"
bet some tatiy, suggested Ruth
Mrs. Carol won't care for taffy,n
said Katie. Suppose We buy her tar.
key for her Christmas dinner You
may carry the bas Of money, " said
Katie, generously, because you are
it'll" Miss Santa Clans, you know; and
Ill take the sixty five cents and buy the
turkey"
Behind them silently followed the tall
man, mnitoring oil the while softly
under his breath
AN easy WAY 20 get fifteen dollars,
he said. Such little girls, tool No.
body will know did il "
Katie and Ruth hAd Turned into tho
dark side streets, and were Just nearing
one Of the luucliest anti gloUmieat Egiota,
when the tall man quickEucd his t,arT,
and was nearly able tot touch Ruth with hts
outstretchcd hand, when Katie dragged
her suddenly around the corner, and
hurried 10 a butchers shop ia tho mid.
die ot tho block
The man uttered an exclamation Of
disappointment, aud stole after the uu
conscious little girls, mud watched them
stealthily through the butchers win.
dow.
didn know turkeys cost ~ much"
said Katie, ns she came out ~ tho shop.
Anyhow, n chicken, even lift II only
little one, Is better than nothing
Ruth WA too cold ~ make any m.
swcr, hut she truttsd along by Katiu'a
side rs they hurried 30 Mrs Carols
- can catch en- again, muttcrcd tho
tall man
But Katie had made good usc Of the
time, and was block ahead OF her pr.
suer; though If she had known hs WAS
following her she would have gone more
quickly still.
The tall man broke into trot, and
was almost in sight Of the two little
figures, when his foot slipped on a slide.
ana down he dropped with painful
thud
UGH" he Frnnted, and put his hand
ont 20 help himself MP. "Ahl whats
this?' he exclaimed, holding nj a hrnyv
canvas bag THE very bng with tho
hitecn dollarsl ! guess don't need 10
follow them any more.
kntie and Ruth meanwhile Ruth had
not discovered her loss, her little hands
were so cold had made their way 10 thc
tenement house where Mrs CnrynI
lived, and had climbed the stairs 10 The
door Of her room. '''
us Robert homer" asked Knt;o n,
she stepped into the cherries room NJ
Mira. Carols bidding.
No. Who is il wants him?" asknd
the blind woman. ''"o'
We don't want him at all. !" answered
Kate half-laughingly. I'VE only want
Me! And what do you want with
: II want TO introduce little Miss SAINT,
Claus. '''''' '''''i'a
=, Little Miss Santa Clausr' exclaimed
Yes, ma'am. Tell her about Il